Music Wood Coalition Project - Green Guitars

I think guitar is the most popular among all musical instruments in the world.Unlike most of my observations and statements this is not backed by any well researched (googled so to say) data.I think this way, because I feel so, of course based on my small world of friends and foes.Guitar is the instrument I love to listen and my inability to play it is one of the topmost items in the list of my have nots.Till date I have never thought about what impact it's manufacturing process can have on our environment or how it's raw materials are obtained.But today an article in Scientific American changed my perception about this.


Guitar as we all know is made of wood.Trees like spruce, maple, mahogany, ebony and rosewood are primarily used to make guitars.The type of wood used has a great impact on the tone and quality of sound produced by the guitar.So usage of alternative materials is difficult.This might lead to a very different sound altogether which will satisfy neither the players nor the listeners.So for the guitar manufacturers it's extremely crucial to make sure that these forests are not utilized in an unplanned manner with a short sighted profiteering mindset.Because once these trees are exhausted it will be very difficult to produce guitars with sound as we listen today.
Musicians and artists has always been a forerunner in alternative thoughts.In this particular issue the manufacturers of musical instruments also have shown a great vision and helped to preserve green in this planet (and preserve their own business as well).Back in 1996 Gibson one of the leading manufacturers of guitar announced to use woods "sustainably harvested" and certified by Forest Stewardship Council.Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non profit organization founded by Greenpeace and other supporting organization to laydown the rules and standards for eco friendly and responsible forestry.Now it's not Gibson alone other manufacturers like Taylor, Fender, Martin, Guild, Walden and Yamaha have also joined them.Together we have the Music Wood Coalition project.This project is launched by Greenpeace to enforce the eco-friendly FSC standards in the manufacturing of musical instruments.
One of the major areas of concern is preservation and usage of Sitka spruce.These trees are found in the North American coastal rain forests and most of the guitar manufacturers depend on a company named "Sealaska" (in Southeast Alaska) for their supply of Sitka spruce.Greenpeace did a survey on the timber industry in that region and found that 80% of wood is exported to Asia for home building and rest is used in US for windows frames etc.The fraction used by musical instrument industry is very very less in proportion.This is alarming for the guitar manufacturers because their product quality is directly impacted by these woods whereas homebuilding etc. can be done using any other material as well.Moreover the practices employed by Sealaska is not at all compliant with FSC standards and friendly to the preservation of these forests.So to get Sealaska certified is one the major aims of this campaign right now.
All my best wishes to the Music Wood and Greenpeace.I am sure this campaign will be a grand success worldwide for musical instruments of all kind.
Sources:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=guitar-makers-making-music-greener
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/features/6225640.html#none
http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/the-troublesome-truth/Jun-07/27810
PS: I am supporting GreenPeace India for the past two years it will be great if you can also do the same:
http://www.greenpeace.org/india/supportus